Chain link fence accessory

ABSTRACT

A support device is provided for use in combination with a fence. The support device is mounted on the fence and can be used for hanging planters and the like from the fence. The support device includes an elongate member, having a carrier member at a first end and a first brace member at a second end. A second brace member is positioned between the first end and the second end. The first brace member is a substantially “U” shaped member affixed to the elongated member proximate the second end. The “U” shaped member has a pair of legs that extend away from said elongate member in a first direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an accessory for a chain link type offence, and more particularly, to a hook device for use in hangingplanters and the like from fences, such as chain link fences.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention provides a simple, inexpensive, reliable mechanismfor hanging objects from a fence. Most particularly, the fence of thechain link variety, though the accessory is independent of the chainlink portion of the fence. The object hanging mechanism is carried bythe horizontal bar of the fence, most commonly the top bar. The hangingmechanism is affixed to the horizontal bar of the fence by means of apair of hook elements. The hook element has a central U-shaped sectionthat is welded, or otherwise secured to the main bar of the accessory.The U-shaped element has a J hook at each end of the U, and the J hooksare hooked over the upper side of the horizontal fence bar. Theaccessory is prevented from rotating from the desired vertical position,by means of a lower end hook mechanism that partly encircles thevertical post of the fence. The upper extremity of the main bar of theaccessory is curved into a J like shape, thus providing a hook to whicha planter or other hanging device can be secured, as by rope, chain,wire or the like, as is typical for flower pots and such type ofobjects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory in accordance withthe present invention, secured to a fence.

[0004]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the accessory of the presentinvention.

[0005]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the lowermost securing element of theaccessory. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the accessory of the presentinvention.

[0006]FIG. 5 is a front view of the accessory of the present invention,shown carried by a fence.

[0007]FIG. 6 is a rear view of the accessory of the present invention,shown carried by a fence.

[0008]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of theinvention.

[0009]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further alternate embodiment ofthe invention.

[0010]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A support device is provided for use in combination with a fence.The support device is mounted on the fence and can be used for hangingplanters and the like from the fence.

[0012] The support device includes an elongate member, having a carriermember at a first end and a first brace member at a second end. A secondbrace member is positioned between the first end and the second end. Thefirst brace member is substantially “U” shaped and affixed to theelongated member proximate the second end. The “U” shaped member has apair of legs that extend away from said elongate member in a firstdirection.

[0013] The elongate member has a curved region between said second bracemember and said first end, said curved region being curved away saidsecond brace member in a direction substantially opposite the aforenotedfirst direction.

[0014] The fence has at least one horizontal member and at least onevertical post. The second brace member is hooked to a horizontal memberand the first member is braced against a vertical post.

[0015] The second brace member has a pair of J hook shaped legs and hasan apex region between the pair of J hook shaped legs. Its apex regionis affixed to the elongate member and the pair of J hook shaped legs arehooked over said the horizontal member.

[0016] The apex region has an interior peripheral surface or edge and anouter peripheral edge and the second brace member has its interiorperipheral edge affixed to said elongate member, as for example bywelding, or through an epoxy bonding or by forming it as an integralelement. As a further alternative, a press fit joint can be used to lockthe components together. The joining mechanism is primarily a matter ofmanufacturing preference.

[0017] A multiple of elongate members can be used in an over/under orside-by-side relationship, or a combination thereof. In the side-by-siderelationship the arms would be oriented radially, like the spokes of awheel.

[0018] The accessory of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1and indicated generally as 100, is designed to be secured to a fence.The accessory as illustrated, is a device for hanging objects such asflower pots, planters and the like. The accessory has a main bar 110that is positioned essentially vertically, and has a lower section 118.The lower section 118 is essentially parallel to the vertical post 122of the fence. The upper end of the main bar 110 has a hook 112 at itsdistal, upper end. The flower pot or planter can be carried by theaccessory, by means of the hook 112 receiving rope, chain or the likefrom the flower pot, or the like, as well known in the art.

[0019] The proximal, lower end of the main bar has a U-shaped hook 116welded to it. The interior or exterior of the center of the hook can bewelded to the main bar lower end, proximate its proximal end. The termsdistal and upper end, and proximal and lower end are employed hereininterchangeably. The main bar lower end is considered the proximal endsince it is proximate the fence post while the distal end 112 is spacedfrom the fence post 122.

[0020] The main bar 110 is locked over the horizontal fence bar 120, bymeans of a U shaped element 114. The U shaped locking element 114 has apair of J shaped hook ends that lock over and partly around thehorizontal bar, as best seen in FIG. 1.

[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the accessory is indicated generally as200. The distance 201 between the J end of the hook 214 and the lowersection 218 of the main bar 210, is slightly greater than the diameterof the horizontal bar to which it is fixed, as seen in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6.

[0022] The overhang length 203 of the hook portion of the J hook ofelement 214 is sufficiently long to overhang the horizontal bar. Thelength 203 must be at least greater than the radius of the horizontalbar, but the maximum length is not narrowly critical. The weight of theobject hung from the hook 212 forces the lower section 218 and the Uhook 216 against the vertical post. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lowersection 218 is affixed to the interior peripheral surface of the U hook216. It is not narrowly critical that the U hook 216 have either itsexterior surface or interior surface fixed to the lower section 218.However, the force exerted on the main bar 210 pulls the hook element214 against the resistance of the horizontal fence bar. Thus, it ishighly advantageous that the main bar 210 be fixed, as for example bywelding, unitary construction or otherwise, to the interior peripheralsurface of the hook 216, as indicated by the weld 230 of FIG. 3. Thus,the main bar presses against the hook rather than pulling away from theweld 230.

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the U shaped element can be welded, asindicated by reference numeral 230 to the lower section 218 of theaccessory 200.

[0024]FIG. 4 shows the hook 514 affixed to the main bar 510. The mainbar passed interiorly of the U portion of the hook 514, such that theforce applied by the main bar 510 is against the hook 514, rather thanagainst the weld between the main bar and the hook 514.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the accessory is hooked to the fence bypositioning the hook 514 over the horizontal bar 530. The lower hook 516wraps around the vertical fence post 540. The hook 516 preferably is ofsufficient size to wrap at least half way around the vertical post. Thesize of the lower hook 516 is not narrowly critical since it serves onlyto stabilize the accessory against rotational movement relative to theintersection of the upper hook 514 and the horizontal bar 530.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a rear view of the accessory relative to the fence, andshows the upper hook 614 extending well beyond the lower edge of the bar630.

[0027] The force exerted by the main bar 610, when the accessory iscarrying an object, pulls the upper hook 614 against the horizontal bar630.

[0028] The lower hook element 616 is secured to the lower section 618 ofthe accessory device and locks against the vertical bar 640 to preventrotation of the accessory relative to the vertical post 640.

[0029] The accessory can be formed most conveniently from iron or steeland the upper and lower hook elements can be welded or otherwisepermanently fixed to the main bar. Alternatively, the hook elements canbe bolted to the main bar or secured thereto by threaded screws. Themechanism for fixing the component elements together is not narrowlycritical.

[0030] Alternatively, the accessory can be formed as a cast element. Theaccessory can be made from a plastic and formed by injection molding orsimilar process, as a unitary element. Alternatively, as in the casewhere the accessory is formed from a metal, the plastic hooks componentscan be fused to the main bar by solvent welding, sonic welding or thelike. Bolts, screws and the like are alternative mechanisms for securingthe components together.

[0031] In another embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 7, a ring700 can be provided to support a flower pot or the like, as shown inFIG. 8. The support hook 702 can be further distanced from the top ofthe fence rail through the use of a longer vertical member 704, as shownin FIG. 8, relative to the dimensions illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0032]FIG. 9 shows a further modification in which a pair of supportbars 900 and 902 are employed. The lower bar can have dimensionscorresponding to the bar 702 of FIG. 7, while the upper bar can bepositioned comparably to bar 802 of FIG. 8. In another embodiment, thetwo bars can be of equal height but offset in a “Y” type offset. In theembodiment of FIG. 2, the second bar would be hidden by the first bar210. The looped ended 212 of each bar would be spaced apart, while thelower sections would be proximate each other.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 8, a support ring 804 can be provided tocarry a planter 806 or similar device.

[0034] The multiple support bars can be used with or without the supportring 904.

What is claimed is:
 1. A support device comprising: an elongate member,said elongate member having a carrier member at a first end and a firstbrace member at a second end, and a second brace member between saidfirst end and said second end, said first brace member being asubstantially “U” shaped member affixed to said elongated memberproximate said second end, said “U” shaped member having a pair of legsextending away from said elongate member in a first direction, saidelongate member having a curved region between said second brace memberand said first end, said curved region being curved away said secondbrace member in a direction substantially opposite said first direction.2. The support device of claim 1 , said second brace member having apair of J hook shaped legs and an apex region between said pair of Jhook shaped legs, and having its apex region affixed to said elongatemember.
 3. The support device of claim 2 , wherein said apex region hasan interior peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, said secondbrace member having its interior peripheral edge affixed to saidelongate member.
 4. The support device of claim 1 , wherein said secondbrace member is welded to said elongate member.
 5. The support device ofclaim 1 , wherein said carrier member is a curved loop region.
 6. Thesupport device of claim 1 , further comprising an elongate arm member,said elongate arm member having a carrier member at a first end andbeing secured to at least one of said elongate member and said secondbrace member.
 7. The support device of claim 6 , wherein said elongatemember and said carrier member are offset from each other.
 8. Thesupport device of claim 7 , wherein said elongate member and saidcarrier member are in an over/under relationship.
 9. The support deviceof claim 1 , further comprising a support ring member, said support ringmember being fixed to said support device and horizontally oriented andrelative to a vertical orientation of said elongate member.
 10. Thesupport device of claim 1 , wherein said elongate member has a firstregion between said first end and said second brace member and a secondregion between said second brace member and said first brace member,said first region extending away from said second region.
 11. A supportdevice comprising: an elongate member, said elongate member having acarrier member at a first end and a first brace member at a second end,and a second brace member between said first end and said second end,said first brace member being a substantially “U” shaped member affixedto said elongated member proximate said second end, said “U” shapedmember having a pair of legs extending away from said elongate member ina first direction, said elongate member having a curved region betweensaid second brace member and said first end, said curved region beingcurved away said second brace member in a direction substantiallyopposite said first direction, said second brace member having a pair ofJ hook shaped legs and an apex region between said pair of J hook shapedlegs, and having its apex region affixed to said elongate member, saidapex region having an interior peripheral edge and an outer peripheraledge, said second brace member having its interior peripheral edgeaffixed to said elongate member, said second brace member being weldedto said elongate member, and said carrier member being a curved loopregion.
 12. A combination of a support device and a fence, said supportdevice comprising: an elongate member, said elongate member having acarrier member at a first end and a first brace member at a second end,and a second brace member between said first end and said second end,said first brace member being a substantially “U” shaped member affixedto said elongated member proximate said second end, said “U” shapedmember having a pair of legs extending away from said elongate member ina first direction, said elongate member having a curved region betweensaid second brace member and said first end, said curved region beingcurved away said second brace member in a direction substantiallyopposite said first direction, said fence have at least one horizontalmember and at least one vertical post, said second brace member beinghooked to said at least one horizontal member and said first memberbeing braced against said at least one vertical post.
 13. Thecombination of claim 12 , said second brace member having a pair of Jhook shaped legs and an apex region between said pair of J hook shapedlegs, and having its apex region affixed to said elongate member saidpair of J hook shaped legs being hooked over said at least onehorizontal member.
 14. The combination of claim 13 , wherein said apexregion has an interior peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge,said second brace member having its interior peripheral edge affixed tosaid elongate member.
 15. The combination of claim 14 , wherein saidsecond brace member is welded to said elongate member.
 16. Thecombination of claim 12 , wherein said carrier member is a curved loopregion.
 17. The combination of claim 12 , further comprising an elongatearm member, said elongate arm member having a carrier member at a firstend and being secured to at least one of said elongate member and saidsecond brace member.
 18. The combination of claim 17 , wherein saidelongate member and said carrier member are offset from each other. 19.The combination of claim 18 , wherein said elongate member and saidcarrier member are in an over/under relationship.
 20. The combination ofclaim 12 , wherein said elongate member has a first region between saidfirst end and said second brace member and a second region between saidsecond brace member and said first brace member, said first regionextending away from said second region and being substantially offsetfrom a vertical orientation.